Nawalparasi, September 10

Lumbini area has been bearing huge loss every day due to the ongoing strike. As the bandh called by Madhes-based parties protesting the preliminary draft of the constitution entered the 28th day today, businesses and industries in the Bhairahawa-Lumbini corridor and Bandh causes huge loss in Lumbiniarea continued to remain shut, causing loss of around 1 billion rupees daily.

Siddhartha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairperson Ram Kumar Sharma bemoaned the protracted strike, saying it has pushed businesses and industries on the verge of closure.

“Though we tried to ensure resumption of businesses and industries from the corporate level itself, they didn’t agree,” said Sharma, adding that the closure of industries had hit around 2,500 workers relying on industries and businesses for their livelihood.

According to Nawalparasi Chamber of Commerce and Industries chairperson Bharat Thapa, the bandh has choked the supply of commodities from India and other third world countries.

While Bhairahawa customs has failed to collect revenue, security personnel are escorting vehicles carrying daily necessities to other destinations from here.

Around 1,200 cargo vehicles are reported stranded on the 12-km =road stretch on the Indian territory near Sunauli due to the unusually long strike in the district.

Similarly, the bandh has also been the bane of the tourism industry of the region. Though the Nawalparasi bandh has had a telling effect on the headquarters Parasi, its impact on other parts of the district and in Butwal, however, is nominal.

Meanwhile, citing the preparation of the industry management to resume production, Madhesi Front cadres and leaders today vandalised the Manaiwa VDC-based Arghakhanchi Cement Industry in Rupandehi.